Ride then Wrench..Tired of it!!
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Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 456
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From: Marion, Ia
Ride then Wrench..Tired of it!!
So had a real bad vibe yesterday, kept feeling around till I was sure I had found it. The lower two bolts on the back of the sissy bar pad were loose so first thing today I tightened them up. Went for a ride and still had the vibe. So I came home washed the bike and started giving it the once over. Well in the process of drying the pipes I found the prob. Needless to say I am PISSED OFF!! I hope Vance and Hines makes this right I am emailing them the photos now and I will be the first person on the phone with them tomorrow morning. The pipes are ruffly and year old and this happens.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Marion, Ia
No it broke in the bend not around the bolts, and I torqued it to specs. I dont even see how if it was over torqued it could cause that.... I hope they replace it though. I am bought to pull it off and send it off to get a weld job, by a friend.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 196
Likes: 2
The bend distorts the metal and causes the break. If you "worry" steel, bend it back and forth, you can fracture it.
By all means, let the manufacturer know about the fault, but I wouldn't use a replacement if it is identical to the one you already have. Take the new one, but I would take the bike as is to a welder. Cut a length of 1/4" mild steel rod and fit it into the inside corner. Have the welder tack it in place with the bracket on the pipes. Then remove the bracket and have him do the full weld. You can grind the angle of original bracket outside of the curve of the rod to smooth the bracket. Paint, and run it. Keep the replacement bracket just in case. Send the manufacturer some photos of the problem and the cure. Might make the product better.
By all means, let the manufacturer know about the fault, but I wouldn't use a replacement if it is identical to the one you already have. Take the new one, but I would take the bike as is to a welder. Cut a length of 1/4" mild steel rod and fit it into the inside corner. Have the welder tack it in place with the bracket on the pipes. Then remove the bracket and have him do the full weld. You can grind the angle of original bracket outside of the curve of the rod to smooth the bracket. Paint, and run it. Keep the replacement bracket just in case. Send the manufacturer some photos of the problem and the cure. Might make the product better.
Last edited by Dynamic; Jun 30, 2010 at 08:35 PM. Reason: modification
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 9
From: Marina del Rey
bum bracket
Looks like a poorly made/designed bracket. They'll likely send you another just like it. If they had used a larger radius at the bend it might not have overstressed it. You could have a fabricator weld some strengthening gussets in when he repairs the break, making it stronger than the original.
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